Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-04-06
q Serial Stary.
RETRIBUTI0N
BY "THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER XIV.

smile.
"You! 1t Is not one of your da VS.,
surely" he says.
His tone is crisp, abrupt; in another
man it might be called flurried. A long.
light overcoat covers him from his neck
to his boots. Even though she cannot
see the clothes beneath, some sudden
fancy strikes Nadine that he is slightly
en- fete. This idea, too, however, Is put
to flight before It has time to harden on
her brain. $50 80 -
,,ssssssaS Itsis aoteas ef my dsyasbut''
She IS SO astonished at seeing him here
in Mrs. Brands house, that she finds a
difficulty in speaking quickly or freely.
You are going, interrupts he, shortly,
$50 am I. Come"
He opens the hall door as he speaks,
and motions to her to precede him. 1t Is
all done in moment. If he had meant
to get her out of the house with speed
that admitted Of no delay, he could not
have done it more promptly. Still de-
voured with surprise at his presence in
Park Lane, Nadine fofgets to comment
upon this, even in her thoughts, until
long afterward.
AS they leave Mrs. Brands house be-
hind them Annerley's manner undergoes
change It loses its briskness, and re-
turns to its usual calm habit.
"But you-perhaps you did not want to
come away so soon," says Nadine, in q
low bewildered tone.
What could q city clerk want in Mrs.
Brands house at that hour?
eyes; I was quite ready. Ny business
was finished" returns he, steadily.
"Your business? Business with Mrs.
Brandt
"And very serious business! So Sc
nous that 1t is conducted as secretly as
possible"
"It has to do with your-your-frm?"
asks she, in an awed tone.
"With-my firm! Yes. I was sorry
you met me here. It is of the utmost
consequence that my comings and goings
at that house should be kept dark"
He glances at her keenly as he speaks
"You need not be afraid" says Nadine,
quietly. II shall say nothing of it. /
shall not mention having met you. You
may be at rest about that. But I confess
am amazed-astonishedp'
"Come in here. 1t is fine evening
A walk will do you good, and-I have
something to say to you"
Entering the principal entrance to the
park, they stroll together in silence
pass the row, the drive, the last touch Of
humanity in the shape Of Ifeguardsmen
and nursery maids, until they find them
selves in q dull, out Of the way spot, and
virtually speaking alone.
eyes; am more surprised than can
tell you," says Nadine again, pausing to
look into his face. "To meet you thera
And this secret business-I hope it means
no harm to Millicent-Miss Grey?''
"None at all, assure YOU" He
laughs easily. II shall not harm Miss
Grey. Ny business, SO far as she Is con-
cerned, will very soon De at an end" "
sThen she is mixed up with it."
'sWell, yes"
"Paul," says Nadine, leaning forward
and speaking in low tone, II think
have guessed it. lit has something to
do with-her sapphires."
An extraordinary gleam flashes across
Mr.. Annerley's features. 1t is moment
ary, but brilliant. Fear, suspicion and
something stronger still are blended in it.
1t may be that he is disconnected at hav-
ing his "business" with Mrs. Brand thus
publicly put into words. To be discov-
cred, no matter how innocent the offense,
is disagreeable to most.
"You are not pleased that have found
it outs' suggests Nadine, timidly. "But
do not let it distress you. shall bury
the knowledge in my heart. No one shall
be the wiser for it."
"You will do we'll to do so," says An
nerley, recovering himself with an effort.
''You will take care also not to let it be
known by word or glance that you met
me tonight at Mrs. Brands. Much de-
pends upon your faithfulness in this
matter"
''Then you have found clew to the
thief? You are on his track?" asks she,
breathlessly.
eyes; there is clew." He pauses a
moment, looking down into her eyes as
though he would read her very soul.
"Swear to me you will not mention hav-
ing met me tonight" he says at last, in a
low, vehement tone.
His intensity frightens her.
''There is no need for it. have prom
ised; but if you wish it, yes-I swear not
to reveal our having met" she answers,
nervously. "Was it this you wished to
say to me, PaulF'
''This-and something else. But
first"-.-
He breaks of abruptly, and laying his
hands upon her shoulders, tu. AS her so
he can see her better. He has been gaz-
ing at her intently, and the extreme
beauty of her flower like face, enhanced
by the touch of timidity his stern voice
and manner have brought into it, has
set on fire the love that already burns
brightly in his bosom. She is the one
solitary thing on earth that he cares for
the one human creature he adores with
passion, wild, ungovernable, that some
times from the very strength of it makes
even him tremble. If he should lose her!
The very idea makes the blood rush tu-
multuously to his head. And there is
that to be said to her tonight that
But she will not fail him-she shah not!
''Nadiner' exclaims he, in suppressed
tone-low, vehement. "Tel me that you
love me! have loved you so we'll that
will not believe you have given me no
return. All my heart-nay, my very
soul, is yours to save or ruin, as you
will. Is such devotion to 60 unrewarded:
See! am Notwithstanding before you
as the veriest leaf that grows, lest your
word fail me. Does not this touch you:
Are you insensible, heartless? Well, then
IL yOu A1OAAk Joo2 hSe@1o Soy e'~s
you love me, at least tell me that your
heart Is empty-that you are Indifferent
to all the world"
He waited breathlessly. But as the
waiting lengthens dark frown gathers
on his brow, and savage expression
curves his lips. Nadine, faint, terrified,
and still with that terrible numbness
overpowering her, draws back step OF
two and presses her hand convulsively
against her face. Annerley, laying his
hands upon her shoulders, gives her q
violent shake. A low cry escapes her.
This cry releases her from the nervous
bondage in which she has been held.
"Speak, girln cries he roughly. "1t
is true you never yet told me that you
love me. Am now to learn that you
have made that confession to another
man."
"Oh! no! no"' The assurance falls
from her with fervor which he places
to wrong account. With passionate
thankfulness she tells herself that she
can at least answer this last question
vita truth. To no man has she said,
~ love you"
"Ah?' says Annerley, drawing long
breath Of eager relief, "that is well for
my rival had he existed"
There is such subdued ferocity in his
tone that Nadine shivers.
"Be content" she says, calmly, "you
have no rival There is no one I can